Vitality opened their BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 run with a dominant 2–0 win over 9z in the Group B upper bracket quarter-final. The European side controlled the series from start to finish, outclassing their opponents both individually and tactically. From the opening rounds, Vitality dictated the pace on both maps, consistently winning duels and converting advantages with clinical precision.
Overpass — one-sided control from the start
The series opened on Overpass, 9z’s map pick, but any expectations of a competitive start quickly faded. Vitality’s defensive setups proved nearly impenetrable, shutting down executes and punishing mid-round decisions from the South American side.
Despite a few attempts from 9z to find openings, Vitality maintained complete control of the map. Their rotations were sharp, their utility usage was on point, and their individuals consistently came out on top in duels. The 13–3 scoreline reflected total dominance, with Vitality barely breaking a sweat to secure the opener.
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Nuke — no comeback, no chances
Moving to Nuke, Vitality continued to impose their game without hesitation. While 9z showed slightly more resistance compared to the first map, they still struggled to deal with Vitality’s structured approach and relentless pressure.
The European side controlled both halves effectively, shutting down any momentum 9z tried to build. Key rounds slipped away from the South American squad due to lost clutches and failed post-plants, while Vitality capitalized on every mistake.
The map ended 13–5, sealing a clean 2–0 victory and underlining the clear gap in performance between the two teams on the day.
Match statistics
ZywOo leads the charge
Once again, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut stood at the center of Vitality’s success. The French superstar delivered a near-flawless performance across the series, finishing with outstanding numbers:
- 37–15 K-D
- 109.4 ADR
- 85.3% KAST
- 1.91 rating
ZywOo was involved in nearly every key moment — opening rounds, multi-kills, and clutch situations — making a decisive impact that 9z simply couldn’t match. Alongside him, flameZ and ropz provided strong secondary firepower, ensuring Vitality never lost control of the series.
VRS impact
The result also had implications for the Valve Regional Standings (VRS). Vitality strengthened their position at the very top of the rankings, reinforcing their status as one of the leading teams heading into the next phase of the season.
For 9z, the loss resulted in only a minimal points gain, pushing them into the lower bracket where their margin for error is now gone.
Team reactions
Following the victory, Vitality shared a confident and relaxed message on social media:
Feels good to be back
The statement reflects the team’s current form — composed, confident, and clearly comfortable on the server. On the other side, 9z acknowledged the defeat while shifting focus toward their lower bracket run:
Caemos 0-2… ahora seguiremos por el lower bracket.
The team thanked fans for their support and emphasized their determination to bounce back in the next matches.
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What’s next
With this win, Vitality continue their upper bracket run, where significantly tougher opponents await. Based on their current level of play, they are shaping up as one of the strongest contenders for the title in Rotterdam.
For 9z, the path forward becomes far more difficult. Dropping to the lower bracket means every upcoming match is now do-or-die, and they will need a much stronger showing if they hope to stay alive in the tournament.
